In 2020, at least nine countries have openly rejected China's irrational claims in the East Sea on concerns that Beijing wants to extend its influence beyond the neighborhood.
Britain, France and Germany are among the list of at least 9 countries in 2020 to issue a statement rejecting China's position in the East Sea.
Although there is no maritime dispute with China, many countries are increasing pressure on the "9-dash line" claim in the East Sea despite their economic relations with this power.
In September, all three European powers sent a joint note rejecting China's so-called "historic right" over the waters within the "9-dash line" that it drew itself for the East Sea. The British, French and German governments stated that China's statements were "inconsistent with international law and the contents" of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The note emphasized "without any legal basis" for the continental countries to see the islands and structures at sea as a unified entity without respecting the relevant provisions of part II of UNCLOS, or recognized by applying the provisions of section IV - which only apply to archipelagic states.
"All maritime claims in the East Sea need to be brought out and resolved peacefully in accordance with the principles and laws of UNCLOS", the group of three European countries called for.
European countries in the past have still limited their hard stance towards China over the South China Sea issue, partly because of their economic ties to China and the geographic distance from the geopolitical hotspot. .
However, in recent years, they have begun to increase the pressure not only on the East Sea issue, but also on other issues such as Beijing's level of transparency in the Covid-19 pandemic response or national security law. for Hong Kong.
During the summit in September, the European Union (EU) openly called on Beijing to respect international law in the South China Sea.
Indonesia also sent a similar note on the South China Sea issue to the United Nations in May. Australia and the United States, both having no maritime disputes with China, also sent notes opposing Beijing's position in waters. .
In July, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo publicly identified Beijing's claims in the East Sea as "completely against the law". President-elect Joe Biden recently confirmed that he would work closely with his allies and partners in terms of security to deal with challenges from China.
The growing concern of countries about China could prevent its Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to build a system, according to Awani Irewati, senior researcher at the Indonesian Academy of Sciences. Asia-Europe infrastructure system with Beijing at the center.
Irewati judged that many countries that do not have a sea dispute with China speak strongly would contain China more effectively than military pressure from the US.